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Chapter 2607 Top Automotive Expert

Mingju Real Estate now has projects under development in first-tier cities across the country. After all, they can't just acquire land and then hoard it; the local governments aren't stupid.

Meanwhile, the Pujiang No. 1, Pujiang No. 2, and Pujiang No. 3 projects have been developed in Puxi and Pudong of Shanghai, and the entire Pujiang series is about to go on sale.

Just then, the number of visitors and sales in Beijing's real estate market was declining due to the negative public opinion surrounding China's automakers.

Only a few people come into the sales office each day, and the sales staff are so idle that they wipe the tables at the front desk.

Suning originally planned to transfer Zhuangzhuang and her team of sales elites to Shanghai, where the market was heating up and they needed capable people to take the lead.

Just then, Assistant Xiao Zhao rushed in, holding a videotape in his hand.

"President Su, there's someone you need to take a look at." Xiao Zhao placed the videotape on Su Ning's desk, then looked at Su Ning urgently and explained, "This person is Liao Shiyuan, a top expert in the automotive industry. He's completely different from those so-called experts and public intellectuals of the past. He worked at FAW for over ten years, then went abroad as a visiting scholar, and is now a director of several international automotive engineering societies. He carries a lot of weight in the domestic automotive circle."

Suning picked up the videotape and looked at it. There was a note on it with the program name and broadcast date written on it.

Xiao Zhao continued, "In this program, he specifically named us as a fraudulent company, and analyzed it point by point in great detail. After the program aired, many colleagues called me, saying that we were in trouble this time. Liao Shiyuan's words in the industry basically set the tone; once he opened his mouth, everyone believed him."

Suning didn't say much, just told Xiao Zhao to put the videotape into the VCR, and then leaned back in his chair and watched the whole episode.

The expert named Liao Shiyuan sat on the sofa in the studio. He was in his fifties, with his hair neatly combed and wearing a dark gray suit without a tie. He looked like the kind of confident technical authority who didn't need to rely on his appearance to impress others.

Behind me was a large screen displaying several blurry photos of the factory, which I couldn't tell where they came from.

Holding a laser pointer, he pointed at the large screen, his tone as certain as if he were reciting an unquestionable scientific theorem: "Why am I so sure that Tianchao Auto is a scam? The reason is very simple—let's look at the production line."

Liao Shiyuan used a laser pointer to draw a circle on the large screen, circling a car welding line in a photo. "A modern car production line involves four major processes: stamping, welding, painting, and final assembly. Each of these processes requires highly specialized, large-scale, non-standard equipment. You can't just buy a few machine tools from a hardware market and make do with them. Each piece of equipment is specially designed and manufactured according to the parameters of the car model platform. The precision of the stamping dies, the trajectory programming of the welding robots, the cleanliness level of the painting workshop, and the cycle control of the final assembly line—each of these is an independent engineering discipline."

He put down the laser pointer and then spoke eloquently to the camera: "There are only a handful of machinery manufacturing companies in China that can integrate a complete automobile production line. I can name them all—Jinan Second Machine Tool, Shanghai Welding Machine Factory, Changchun Ninth Design Institute, and a few specialized factories that make painting and final assembly lines. I myself have worked in this industry for decades, and I know every company that can take on this level of order very well. To date, no domestic company has ever received an equipment purchase order from China's automobile industry."

Liao Shiyuan paused, then emphasized, "A production line needs to be ordered and scheduled a year or even two in advance. From design to manufacturing to debugging, this cycle is an industrial law that no one can bypass. Tianchao Auto hasn't even met this timeframe since its registration. So, may I ask, where did their production line come from?"

He pointed to another set of pictures on the big screen, which showed the logos of several international industrial giants such as Siemens, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, and ABB.

"There are only a handful of companies overseas capable of undertaking turnkey projects for complete vehicle production lines—Siemens of Germany, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries of Japan, and ABB of Sweden. These international giants conduct extremely rigorous due diligence before undertaking any project. Would a Chinese private company that has never manufactured cars before even consider a multi-billion dollar production line order from Siemens headquarters? Even if China Automotive did place the order, given the production capacity of these international giants, it would take at least three years to complete everything from signing the contract to design, manufacturing, shipping, installation, and commissioning. How long has China Automotive been established? Did their production lines just fall from the sky?"

The host then interjected, "Professor Liao, is it possible that Tianchao Auto purchased equipment from other channels? For example, acquiring used production lines from factories that have already ceased production?"

Liao Shiyuan waved his hand. “I’ve considered that possibility too. But you have to understand that relocating, modifying, and re-adjusting a used production line is even more difficult than building a new one. Moreover, the car production lines that can be dismantled and sold in China are either severely outdated in terms of technology or have been forcibly scrapped due to major equipment accidents. Judging from the design and technology of the three prototype cars that Tianchao Auto exhibited at the auto show, it’s even more suspicious if you say they were made using obsolete used equipment.”

The host then asked, "So what is your judgment?"

Liao Shiyuan placed the laser pointer on the table, crossed his hands on his knees, and his tone shifted from technical analysis to moral judgment: "Therefore, I can say with certainty that the so-called production line that Tianchao Auto claims to be installing and debugging either doesn't exist at all, or it's just a makeshift solution made from obsolete equipment salvaged from a bankrupt factory. Either way, it's enough to show that this company never really intended to build cars from the beginning. The characteristics of a scam are obvious—a grand concept, loud slogans, but when it comes to specific details, they cover it up and refuse to show it to anyone. I hope the relevant departments can take this issue seriously and not let ordinary people's hard-earned money be trapped in such projects."

After the program ended, the TV screen showed the host shaking hands with Liao Shih-yuan, and then it cut to a commercial break.

Suning stopped the video recorder, leaned back in his chair and remained silent for two seconds before chuckling.

It wasn't the baseless accusations that made me laugh, but rather the dark humor that permeated the entire incident.

Xiao Zhao stood to the side, cautiously observing Su Ning's expression.

He thought his boss would be furious, after all, being publicly named and called a fraudulent company, especially on such an influential program, would be unbearable for anyone.

But Su Ning showed no anger on his face. He calmly removed the videotape from the VCR and placed it on the table.

"Keep this tape safe and filed away," Su Ning said.

"Archive?" Xiao Zhao was taken aback. "President Su, aren't you going to respond?"

“I’m not going back.” Su Ning stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the sky in the direction of Shunyi. “Every word Liao Shiyuan said, judged from the information he provided, is logically consistent. Domestic equipment suppliers have indeed not received our orders, and foreign equipment giants are indeed unlikely to provide turnkey projects for a newly established private car company. The time window simply doesn’t match. These facts are true, so his conclusions appear impeccable in the mainstream public opinion arena.”

Xiao Zhao said, "But our equipment clearly..."

“You’ve been working in the workshop all along, haven’t you?” Su Ning picked up the conversation, turning around. “The problem is, he could never have imagined that our production line doesn’t need to be ordered from Siemens, nor does it need to be integrated by those few state-owned enterprises in China. Our equipment went through proper import procedures, coming in through Tianjin Port, with CCIC inspection certificates, customs declarations, and commodity inspection clearance documents—every single procedure is legal and compliant. But outsiders can’t see these things, and they can’t possibly guess them. So you can’t blame him for being wrong; he’s using facts he knows to reason, but he just doesn’t know the whole truth.”

Xiao Zhao nodded, but was still somewhat unwilling: "So we're just going to let him curse on TV like that?"

Su Ning sat back down in his chair. "Xiao Zhao, public opinion is powerful before facts emerge. Once the facts are out, it's just a piece of paper. We don't have any mass-produced cars on the streets yet, so Liao Shiyuan can use all sorts of theoretical analyses to prove we're no good. But once mass-produced cars like the Azure Dragon One, Vermilion Bird One, and White Tiger One are on national highways and expressways, and in the yards of ordinary families, all theoretical analyses will be shattered by the facts. No matter how eloquently someone speaks, it's not as convincing as a real car parked in front of your neighbor's house."

Then, he pushed the videotape in front of Xiao Zhao: "Once our cars are on the road, this tape will be the best comparison material. At that time, we won't need to refute each point ourselves; the audience will compare what Liao Shiyuan said today with the quality of our mass-produced cars. It's more effective than any advertisement."

Xiao Zhao picked up the videotape and finally laughed: "President Su, you're making them slap themselves in the face."

Suning said, "It's not that I told them to fight, it's that the facts told them to fight. I never argue with people on TV, it's too much of a waste of time. I'd rather spend that time in the workshop supervising the quality inspection of a few more cars."

Xiao Zhao put the videotape away and asked again, "President Su, have you finalized the matter of transferring personnel from Shanghai? The Pujiang series is about to open, and given the current market conditions in Beijing, it's the perfect time to transfer our best and brightest."

Suning said, "It's settled. Zhang Jie, Zhuang Zhuang, and a few others with good sales performance will be the first batch to go. We'll leave the staff in Beijing to maintain basic operations. Shanghai is the main focus this year, and we must make a splash."

Xiao Zhao said, "Okay, I'll send out the notice tomorrow."

……

Soon, Zhuangzhuang received a notice of transfer.

There weren't many customers in the sales office; a few salespeople were sitting behind the front desk organizing customer information.

Zhang Jie came out of the office with a transfer order that had just been faxed over from the personnel department.

He walked over to Zhuangzhuang's workstation and placed the paper in front of her. "Zhuangzhuang, the company has arranged for you to go to Shanghai with me."

Zhuangzhuang was filling out a supplementary clause for a subscription agreement when she looked up at Zhang Jie with a bewildered expression: "Shanghai?"

Zhang Jie pushed the transfer order towards Zhuang Zhuang again, "Take a look for yourself. Several new developments have opened in Shanghai, and the sales offices are short of experienced sales staff. The company is transferring a group of people from Beijing to provide support, and you're on the list. This is a decision made by the company headquarters; the transfer order was issued directly by the HR department."

Zhuangzhuang put down her pen, picked up the transfer order, and read it through from beginning to end. It clearly stated that the transfer order would take effect two weeks later, and the reporting location was the office address of Mingju Real Estate's Shanghai branch.

However, Zhuangzhuang unexpectedly refused, saying, "Team Leader Zhang, I don't want to go."

“Zhuangzhuang, I know Beijing is a familiar place for you, and all your friends are here. It’s only natural that you don’t want to leave. But you need to think this transfer is a company-wide arrangement, not something our sales department can decide on its own. And to be honest, the market in Shanghai is hotter than in Beijing right now. The newly opened projects are all high-end, and the commission rates are higher here. If you go there, your performance won’t be any worse than in Beijing, and you might even win a few more top sales awards.”

Zhuangzhuang shook her head. "Team Leader Zhang, it's not about the money. I just don't want to leave Beijing. My vocal teacher is in Beijing, all my friends are in Beijing, and I'm going to audition for a choir in Beijing. If I go to Shanghai, I won't know anyone, and I don't want to start all over again."

Zhang Jie sighed, then lowered his voice and reminded him, "Zhuangzhuang, to tell you the truth, this transfer order came directly from the headquarters' HR department. My colleagues in HR said that it was General Manager Su who personally gave the order to transfer a group of key personnel from Beijing to support the Shanghai branch. In other words, this transfer order is General Manager Su's idea."

After hearing this, Zhuangzhuang remained silent for a few seconds, then said, "I'll go talk to President Su myself."

Zhang Jie was taken aback for a moment, then looked Zhuang Zhuang up and down: "You're going to see President Su? You think you can just see President Su whenever you want?"

Zhuangzhuang had already stood up, folded the transfer order and put it into her bag. "Team Leader Zhang, I know General Manager Su. He helped me before. If I talk to him, he should see me."

Zhang Jie was truly stunned.

Having worked at Mingju Real Estate for so long, she knows that there are several management levels between Suning and ordinary employees. Under normal circumstances, a salesperson in the sales office would have no chance of meeting the company's big boss directly.

But Zhuangzhuang's tone didn't sound like she was bragging. Her certainty made Zhang Jie suddenly realize that this girl might have a relationship with President Su that she didn't know about.

Zhang Jie thought for a moment, then waved his hand and said, "Alright, alright, go and try it yourself! But I'm reminding you, be careful what you say when you talk to President Su, don't make any absolute statements."

"Thank you, Team Leader Zhang," Zhuangzhuang said, then slung her bag over her shoulder and left the sales office.

She took a bus directly to the headquarters of Mingju Real Estate and registered at the front desk.

The receptionist made an internal call and, after hanging up, told Zhuangzhuang, "President Su is in his office and wants you to go up directly."

"Thank you."

Zhuangzhuang took the elevator upstairs and knocked on the door of Suning's office.

"Enter."

Then, Zhuangzhuang pushed open the door and went in. Su Ning was sitting behind his desk looking at a document. "President Su."

He glanced up at Zhuangzhuang, closed the file, leaned back in his chair, and asked, "Did you come about the transfer order?"

"Mr. Su, I don't want to go to Shanghai."

“The projects in Shanghai are much larger than those in Beijing. There are several new developments, one in Puxi and two in Pudong, positioned a level higher than Beijing No. 1. Your base salary and commission will increase after you go there, which is an opportunity for you to move up in the ranks. Why don’t you want to go?”

“President Su, you’ve misunderstood! It’s not that I’m complaining about the pay. I’ve been in Beijing for so many years, all my friends are here, my vocal coach is here, and I also want to audition for the Beijing choir. I don’t know anyone in Shanghai, and I’m not familiar with life here. I came to Beijing alone and have no one to rely on. I know it’s too difficult to start over, so naturally I don’t want to go to a new place and start over again.”

After hearing this, Su Ning shook his head, somewhat amused and exasperated. "I'm just wondering, what's so special about Beijing that none of you want to leave?"

Zhuangzhuang muttered to herself, "Beijing is just great."

"Zhuangzhuang, I have to remind you. The company's transfer order isn't something we discussed with you; it's a notification. If you just say you're not going, how will Sales Team Leader Zhang Jie manage his team? How will the company's future personnel arrangements be handled? If you don't go, and no one else does either, and they all just run to my office and cancel the transfer order, how will the company function?"

Zhuangzhuang knew that everything Su Ning said made sense.

She didn't own the company, and the transfer order wasn't a dinner party, so she had no right to bargain with the boss.

But Zhuangzhuang remained standing there, biting her lip, her eyes filled with determination.

Looking at Zhuang Zhuang's stubborn expression, Su Ning suddenly had an idea.

Then Su Ning looked Zhuang Zhuang up and down, assessing whether she was suitable for a particular position.

Zhuangzhuang felt a little uncomfortable under Su Ning's gaze and subconsciously took half a step back. "President Su, why are you looking at me like that?"

Suning asked directly, "Zhuangzhuang, would you be willing to transfer to work at headquarters?"

Zhuangzhuang's expression changed from insistence to surprise. "Headquarters? What could I do at headquarters?"

"Be my personal assistant."

"What? A personal assistant?"

"Yes! Tianchao Auto is about to start mass production, and Mingju Real Estate's several new projects in first-tier cities are also about to open for sale. My workload will be much greater than it is now. Xiao Zhao was already overwhelmed by managing both projects alone. I need a personal assistant to help me with my daily affairs, which basically means arranging my schedule, handling miscellaneous tasks, and dealing with people. This position is no easier than selling houses, but you don't need to go to Shanghai or learn how to deal with customers from scratch. You've worked in the sales office for so long, and your communication and execution skills are proven. This position requires those two things."

Zhuangzhuang stood there, speechless for a long time.

The turn of events came so suddenly. She had come to refuse the transfer, but the boss immediately gave her a brand new position, which would be working directly at headquarters.

Several thoughts raced through Zhuangzhuang's mind at the same time—what is a personal assistant?

Can I do the job well? Why did Suning choose me?

“But…” Zhuangzhuang finally spoke, though she seemed hesitant and uncertain. “I’ve never been an assistant before, and I don’t even know what an assistant is supposed to do. I’m afraid I won’t do it well.”

Suning waved his hand, "Who is born knowing everything? The company has people specifically responsible for training, and there are mentoring procedures for every position. I'm never afraid of employees making mistakes, as long as you don't repeat the same mistakes. When you were in your first month at Beijing No. 1, you couldn't even explain the sand table, but you later became the top salesperson, didn't you? The company allows employees to grow, so you don't need to worry about that."

Zhuang Zhuang was silent for a while, then looked up at Su Ning and said, "President Su, as long as we don't leave Beijing, it's fine."

Su Ning leaned back in her chair and laughed. "Then what are you still standing here for? Go find Assistant Zhao and have him show you the job responsibilities and training plan for the personal assistant. Then, get all the necessary paperwork done. As for the sales office, go talk to Zhang Jie yourself and tell him that I approved it."

"Thank you, Mr. Su."

"Don't thank me! You have to seize the opportunity yourself."

"Yes, President Su, I won't let you down."

...(End of this chapter)